If I choose not to change my (unisex) name, will I be taken less seriously?

[yarblockos]

My birth name is unisex (it's Raleigh) and I'm quite fine with keeping it; I'd like to change my middle name, however, and my gender marker, on all my legal documents (license, passport, birth certificate, etc) near in the future. I live in Maryland. Is it possible that I'd be taken less seriously in legal proceedings because I've decided to keep my first name instead of changing it to something they think is more "masculine"? From what I've read, going through the court system to change names and gender markers is often a pain in the ass, and I feel like they might try to hold me back from altering my documents just because my first name is staying the same. Raleigh is more of an old-fashioned male name than female, but since I was given the name when I was assigned female at birth, I'm afraid they might try to tell me I'm not truly "transitioning" to male unless I change it to a fully male name.

[Sharky]

I would assume no one would care. I'm not even sure how to pronounce it, but it looks like a feminine name to me. I've only seen girl names end in leigh.

[dmx]

Nope. If it's used equally among males and females it shouldn't have that effect at all. It's just like trans guys who keep unisex names such as Taylor or Jordan... understandable why they would do that since the name is still male. The fact it can be used for a female also doesn't make it less masculine.

[mixie]

Rally is that how you pronounce it?  Because it definitely could be either way. like the name Chris.   Could go for a guy or a gal.  I'd leave it alone. It's also a unique name and beyond the gender issue it sounds like a family name rather than a "trendy name" so I think the name it self is one that would be taken seriously.

[Sam-]

I don't think it should be an issue at all. It might actually benefit you in the case that it will 'out' you less. Like when filling out job apps and you have to provide "previous names used", it'll be the same so as long as your gender marker is changed they won't know. Unlike guys who change from obviously female names to male names.

Btw, I'm planning on keeping my birth name as well since it's unisex, so you're not alone in that. (Well I have to shorten my legal name, but I've gone by Sam my entire life, never Samantha anyways)

[Kreuzfidel]

I don't see them having an issue with an unusual or unisex name.  I mean if you tried to go to court with your name being obviously female like Amanda or Sally with no intention of changing it then maybe it would raise eyebrows, but who knows.  Is it really the court's business if a post-transition person has a unisex name?  If it is then too much government meddling, I say.

[yarblockos]

I would assume no one would care. I'm not even sure how to pronounce it, but it looks like a feminine name to me. I've only seen girl names end in leigh.

http://www.babynames.com/name/RALEIGH
It's completely unisex, leaning on the male side (at least from what I've gathered - through Facebook searches and census info, there seem to be more men named Raleigh than women). Trust me, if I wasn't 100% positive of the name's "androgyny," I'd want to change it pronto. And I can't even think of any other "traditional" (as in, not a name like Annaleigh, where you just combine a female name with Leigh) names that end in -leigh. Other than Ashleigh, which isn't that common of a spelling, plus Ashley was originally a male name anyway and remains unisex (I know of a few male Ashleys). The name Leigh/Lee itself is also a unisex name.

And it's pronounced Rah-lee (like the capital of North Carolina).

[Kreuzfidel]

If they did make an issue of it just cite examples of men with that name.

[Morgan.]

I'm doing the same thing keeping my name (Morgan) and just changing my middle name. If you're comfortable with your name and it's androgynous, then keep it if that's what you wish to do.

[tgchar21]

I don't think it should be an issue at all. It might actually benefit you in the case that it will 'out' you less. Like when filling out job apps and you have to provide "previous names used", it'll be the same so as long as your gender marker is changed they won't know. Unlike guys who change from obviously female names to male names.

Unless the question asks for previous names in a specific fashion (e.g. if you have work or school records under another name) that may be construed to be an illegal question in some jurisdictions. (From a TS perspective you probably won't be able to defend it personally though unless you live in an area where the laws protect you; the idea is that employers are not supposed to seek information that is not relevant to evaluating one's suitability for the job and that may be used in discriminating against a legally protected status. For example an immigrant who changed from a foreign-sounding name to a more "American" one, or beyond names using one's birthdate or high school graduation date to discriminate against older workers.) For example, consider what this document says in their chart of allowed and not allowed questions (and it's from lawyers in a very red state!).

[bojangles]

It might actually benefit you in the case that it will 'out' you less.

Depending on the situation, it could also out you more.

Raleigh, as in Sir Walter?
I would expect a dude with a goatee and cool hat, being familiar with tobacco and all. 

I considered keeping the name most people called me. To me it was gender neutral. However, this was not true for everyone else.
A new masculine name can give the people in your life something to do to make the transition with you. It was an important symbol for them and for me. I'm not sure how it would work to keep the same name but expect them to change pronouns. Of course, if you're shooting for androgyne, that may be ok.

[Bishounen]

If they did make an issue of it just cite examples of men with that name.

And if they would still make a issue about it even then, he should give them the finger.
A name is a part of the personality, and especially so when it is part chosen, as in his case, as he very much wants to keep the birthname he was given. Therefore, it is important that he do not give in, if it would ever actually come to that, but stands firm in his decision.

If he would give up a name he do not want to give up, it is, in a way, as giving up a part of himself unwillingly, something that can have a negative impact on his journey.

[Ayden]

I don't think it matters. I know a guy named Raleigh, and I know a girl with the same name, different spelling. I mean, that would be like if you had my legal name, Erin and wanted to either keep it or just change the spelling to Aaron. Frankly, I don't really like my name, but if I did, I would just keep it with the original spelling. It's unisex anyway. Anyone wants to give you ->-bleeped-<-, point out that plenty of guys have kept their names, and plenty of cisguys have "female" names.

[yarblockos]

Depending on the situation, it could also out you more.

Raleigh, as in Sir Walter?
I would expect a dude with a goatee and cool hat, being familiar with tobacco and all. 

I considered keeping the name most people called me. To me it was gender neutral. However, this was not true for everyone else.
A new masculine name can give the people in your life something to do to make the transition with you. It was an important symbol for them and for me. I'm not sure how it would work to keep the same name but expect them to change pronouns. Of course, if you're shooting for androgyne, that may be ok.

Lol I sometimes tell people I was named after some great-grandfather on my dad's side, just to give it more of a Masculine Feel, in case they had any doubts of the name's gender. What they don't know don't hurt. Really, my parents wanted to pay homage to my grandmother (her name is Leigh) by giving me a name that had a -leigh ending. Luckily for me, they picked Raleigh instead of, I dunno, Kayleigh. My middle name is a family name on my mom's side (she's German), which is entirely feminine, so there's no chance I'm keeping that. I've considered picking another German family name to replace as my middle name, so I can still have that part of my family "with me." I don't know why I care so much about sticking with family names, but it just seems right to me.

As for pronouns, all of my friends and friendly acquaintances (AKA people I care about, as opposed to the rest of the jerks I go to school with) have long since made the Pronoun Switch - I started telling people I was trans as a freshman in high school, now I'm a senior. I've asked them to tell me how they honestly see my name, and most of them say they never really associated a sex with it because it's so "different," even when they knew me as a girl. Since I feel the same way about my name, I'm inclined to think they're telling the truth and not just fakin' to humor me.

And I do prefer the overall Androgynous Vibes as opposed to entirely butch or femme, but my gender identity is entirely male.